Message from the SuperintendentDear Teachers and Instructional Staff, As shared in the previous newsletter, here are a few highlights of upcoming District events. Principal for a Day - May 27: As part of this District-wide program, each principal has identified and invited a Community Leader, Entrepreneur, CEO, Producer, Artist, etc. to participate as the Principal for a Day (PFAD). The guest PFAD at each school will have the opportunity to witness firsthand the evolving responsibilities of school leadership and teaching techniques to meet the diverse needs of students, interact with both faculty and students, perform specific administrative tasks, and ensure they are creating a meaningful positive influence. Through this commitment and reciprocal partnership, the District continues to foster robust relationships between schools and the community. Math Olympics - May 28: The 38th Annual Newark Math Olympics will be held at the Robert Treat Hotel. The competitions include Middle School Math, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus, and Calculus. Over 800 students from 59 schools will be competing - so exciting! Vocal Jubilee - May 28: This event will be at Newark Symphony Hall and begins at 6:00 pm. The Office of Visual & Performing Arts continues to showcase the incredible vocal talent of our students in grades 6-12 from schools across the District. Seal of Biliteracy Event - June 2: This event will be held at East Side High School at 5:00 pm. We have over 500 students who have successfully completed and qualify for this recognition. The Bilingual Department, World Languages staff, and Bilingual staff across the schools should be very proud of this major accomplishment. Elementary Track Festival - June 3: The Office of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics is excited to host the annual Elementary Track Festival, for students in grades 3 - 8. Students will participate in dashes and relays, showcasing their speed, teamwork, and school pride. This event will provide a fun and competitive opportunity for our elementary student-athletes to celebrate movement, sportsmanship, and athletic growth. Academic Awards Night - June 3: I am hosting this annual event for seniors in the Class of 2026 who have an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher. This year, 508 seniors meet the criteria. In the presence of their principals, families, and staff, seniors are called by GPA to receive a medallion to be worn at graduation, proclamations, and gifts. The event is followed by dinner. We will find out that evening the senior with the highest GPA in Newark. Who will that senior be and from what high school? School counselors, senior class and National Honor Society advisors, and homeroom teachers are reminded to make sure that students and their guests are notified, if you have not already done so. This event will be held at Central High School and will begin at 5:00 pm sharp. Teacher of the Year Ceremony - June 4: As the largest school district in the state of New Jersey, the Newark Board of Education is proud and excited to celebrate exemplary educators across Newark Public Schools. We remain deeply committed to recognizing teachers in every school who go above and beyond each day to inspire, support, and uplift our students. This year, the District will honor 65 outstanding teachers, one from each school, at our annual Teacher of the Year Ceremony. This special celebration will culminate in the highly anticipated announcement of the overall District Teacher of the Year! Senior Day - June 5: I am taking seniors from the Class of 2026 who have met graduation requirements to Forest Lodge. Senior class advisors, homeroom teachers, and chaperones are reminded to set expectations, secure permission slips, and tell seniors to get ready for lots of fun, including lunch. This will be the largest gathering of seniors who qualify for graduation. The number in attendance will be well over 2,900 seniors. Incredible. Elementary Basketball Championships - June 6: Get ready for an exciting showcase of young basketball talent! These games will be held at Malcolm X Shabazz High School - the girls’ championship game will tip off at 10:30 am, followed by the boys’ championship game at 12:00 pm. Join us as we celebrate the hard work, sportsmanship, and talent of our elementary student-athletes throughout an exciting championship day. Fashion Show: Wicked with a Twist - We are excited to announce our upcoming 2026 Fashion Show: Wicked with a Twist, taking place on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Newark Vocational High School. There will be two showtimes available: - 1st Show: Doors open at 11:00 am | Showtime at 12:00 pm
- 2nd Show: Doors open at 5:00 pm | Showtime at 6:00 pm
This event showcases the creativity, talent, and dedication of our students, and we are looking forward to building on the incredible success of last year’s inaugural show. Any NBOE staff who are interested in purchasing a ticket to the show, click on link: https://npswickedfashionshow.eventbrite.com. STEM Week - Week of June 8: Middle school students will engage in interdisciplinary lessons around the topics of Building a Lunar Colony, Urban Farming, and Surgical Techniques. The week-long event will culminate in a showcase of student learning. Looking forward to seeing all the great work of our students and their teachers! Newark Games - June 8 - 9: Save the date for the Second Annual Newark Games! The pep rallies will take place at school sites across the District on June 8, 2026. Schools will proudly showcase the countries they represent through creative performances, decorations, music, and displays that celebrate culture, unity, and school spirit. The pep rallies will build excitement and community pride leading up to the Newark Games, while highlighting the creativity and collaboration of our students and staff. Then on June 9, 2026, the Newark Games are on! This incredible District-wide event celebrates unity, school pride, and student collaboration by bringing students from across the city to represent one of 16 international countries in a series of fun, challenging events designed to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and cultural pride. The Newark Games will be taking place at Schools Stadium. The Office of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics is spearheading this unforgettable celebration of culture, cooperation, and competition. R.A.M.P. Concert - June 9: The annual Recorder Arts for Musical Pathways (R.A.M.P.) event will be at NJPAC at 10:00 am. This event will feature third and fourth grade students from Newark Public Schools, showcasing their musical talents and progress in learning to read music and play the recorder. The concert will celebrate the culmination of their hard work throughout the year. Night at the Museum - June 12: Step into an evening of discovery and connection! The Office of Early Childhood invites preschool and kindergarten families to the 13th Annual Night at the Museum, in partnership with the Newark Museum. Explore, create, and learn together through interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences. Families will leave with fun, take-home resources to keep the learning going. Join us for a night filled with curiosity, creativity, and memorable moments! Click here to register and be part of the experience! Cheerleading Championship - June 13: Our cheerleaders have been demonstrating their strength, athleticism, school pride, and spirit all season. The finals showcase will be spectacular! Come show your support at Essex County College (Cleo S. Hill Gymnasium). Doors open at 11:30 am. Commencement Exercises - June 23: This is such an exciting day where hard work and commitment to excellence yields one (of many more to come) major accomplishment in the incredible lives of our students. The Superintendent’s $4,000 Scholarship goes to one Senior from each high school at the graduation ceremony. We will also distribute two laptops to two Seniors at the ceremony. Who will these 3 Seniors be from each high school? Job well done by all of our students and a big thank you to their parents, families, friends, teachers, school administrators, and staff. To the 8th graders, we are so proud of you. We see you too and are honored that you are coming to our high schools. Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
Superintendent León | 
We are excited to share this year’s ELA Summer Reading List! On June 11th, students will receive their summer reading books as schools help build excitement and encourage students to continue reading throughout the summer. Please see the attached flyers for the full reading list by grade level. 
Special Education Week shines a bright light on the hardworking teachers, administrators and support staff, dedicated parents, and amazing students who take on a learning adventure like no other. This week celebrates their nonstop effort and the powerful bond that keeps them going, showing their heart and hustle to make a real difference. 
May is recognized as 
